Frictional and elastic energy in gecko adhesive detachment

Geckos use millions of adhesive setae on their toes to climb vertical surfaces at speeds of over 1 m s−1. Climbing presents a significant challenge for an adhesive since it requires both strong attachment and easy, rapid removal. Conventional pressure-sensitive adhesives are either strong and difficult to remove (e.g. duct tape) or weak and easy to remove (e.g. sticky notes). We discovered that the energy required to detach adhering tokay gecko setae (Wd) is modulated by the angle (θ) of a linear path of detachment. Gecko setae resist detachment when dragged towards the animal during detachment (θ=30°) requiring Wd=5.0±0.86 (s.e.) J m−2 to detach, largely due to frictional losses. This external frictional loss is analogous to viscous internal frictional losses during detachment of pressure-sensitive adhesives. We found that, remarkably, setae possess a built-in release mechanism. Setae acted as springs when loaded in tension during attachment and returned elastic energy when detached along the optimal path (θ=130°), resulting in Wd=−0.8±0.12 J m−2. The release of elastic energy from the setal shaft probably causes spontaneous release, suggesting that curved shafts may enable easy detachment in natural, and synthetic, gecko adhesives.